Cutting coupons, for a lot of people, is something their grandmother used to do. They think it is old-fashioned and aren’t interested. Here’s a secret though: they are missing out on some great deals! Here are some ways to take coupons and use them to your advantage when buying almost anything.
Educate yourself before you get started couponing. Know what various terms mean. Become familiar with the policies of your local store. For example, can you use both a store coupon and a manufacturer’s coupon on the same item? Does your store double coupons? Understanding the process will save you time and frustration.
Before beginning any coupon strategy find and print a copy of the store’s coupon policy. Many stores limit the number of coupons that can be used on each transaction, while other stores may not accept internet coupons. It is therefore, important that you print a copy of your store’s coupon policy.
As popular as the Sunday paper used to be to find coupons, the Internet is the best resource nowadays. Online, you can find amazing coupons for anything and everything. You simply need to print them in the comfort of your own home.
Don’t only use one newspaper. Subscribe to multiple ones for weekend delivery, or you can ask your friends or family for the copies after they are done. The more newspapers you have, the more coupons you have to choose from. Even those duplicate coupons will come in handy when you shop on different days.
When you are cutting coupons you should make sure you have a filing system that is labeled for each different grocery department. This will make it easier to find your coupons when you are planning a big shopping trip once per week. You will save a lot of time by doing this.
Spend sufficient time finding valuable coupons. A little time and effort is required to really save money with coupons. If you’re getting serious about using coupons, make sure it works with your schedule. Set aside 30 minutes every day to look over different ads and to clip coupons.
Save smarter by only using coupons for things you were going to buy anyway. Lots of people end up paying good money for items they really have no use for. Unless it’s something, you know you and your family will make good use of, don’t just get something because you have a great coupon for it.
Set coupon saving goals each week. Try to come with a dollar amount you need to save every week and use that as motivation to help you find those money saving coupons. By working this strategy it puts you in the mindset of always looking for those great coupon deals.
If you want to make the most out of your coupon savings, check with all of your local stores to see if they double coupons. Doubling coupons means that the face value of your coupon is doubled, usually up to a certain amount, say, 1.00. So, instead of saving 1.00 on your item, you will save 2.00.
To make sure you can use your coupons when the time comes, never leave them laying out in sunlight. Coupons laid on a counter or table near a window, or even worse-on a car dashboard, are going to receive a lot of radiation that discolors them. When the time comes to use them, they may be so faded that they are refused.
Make sure you use the coupons you have in conjunction with a store that has good sales. Check the store’s weekly flyer before going there. No matter what coupons you use, if the store does not have good sales, you are not getting the best deal possible. If one store does not have good sales, check another store.
If you find a good coupon in your Sunday paper, check local stores and gas stations on Monday morning. They are likely going to still have some extra copies of that paper laying around. Buy them, and you are going to have extra copies of that coupon to use yourself.
Sometimes it is possible to find coupons for prescription drugs. Search online or at their website to see what is available. Manufactures understand that economy is tough on everyone, so they try to lower the costs with coupons to ensure retention of customers, and as a way of promoting their products. Customers that buy every month often are eligible for loyalty programs.
If you shop at a store regularly, inquire about their customer loyalty program. All loyalty programs offer their members coupons and discounts that other people do not get. This is especially helpful at the grocery store, because that is a place that you do need to visit every so often.
In lieu of purchasing multiple newspaper copies yourself, ask your friends and neighbors if they use their newspaper’s coupon inserts. Ask anyone who does not use their Sunday coupons if they can save them for you to use. The coupons won’t cost you a thing. And remember, you can thank your helpers with some homemade cookies, or a free item now and then!
You cannot use more than one manufacturer coupon on one item, so make sure that you know which coupon is for which item before you go into the store. Keep in mind that you are allowed to use one manufacturer’s coupon and one store coupon on the same item to maximize savings.
Warehouse stores can be an added benefit to coupon clipping. With this type of store, you can purchase many items in bulk. These items come in bulk, which can help to save you a lot of money over time. This can help your budget for items you use on a regular basis.
Using coupons isn’t old-fashioned; it’s a great way for you to find out how you can save a few dollars here and there when you need to buy things. It doesn’t matter what you are buying, there is usually a coupon to help you out. Use the tips in this article to help you get smart about coupons.